Audrey Etheldreda Townshend, born Audrey Etheldreda Harrison, became Lady Lynn and later Viscountess Townshend (1708 – 5 March 1788) was a celebrated English socialite, widely believed to have inspired the character Lady Bellaston, the notorious fictional cougar in Henry Fielding's The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, dramatised in the 2023 TV series played by Hannah Waddingham.

Young, beautiful and vivacious, she was probably over indulged by her family and was eager to escape the confines of Balls Park and explore a wider romantic world.

[12][c][13] She began making frequent visits to London, acquiring the lease to a grand house within the precincts of the Palace of Whitehall in the Privy Gardens, where she was to live in opulent style for the rest of her life.

[15] At a time when London was suffering from disease and Lady Townshend was consulted on potential cures, she declared that "the greatest number have found relief from the sudden deaths of their husbands".

Lady Townshend had the means and the freedom to host whist salons, mount huge Masquerade balls with lavish hospitality at the Privy Gardens, receiving all that was fashionable and select in society of the day, which became renowned throughout the country.

[13] When George Whitefield was conducting the methodist revival with Lady Townshend in attendance, she was asked "Pray Madam, is it true that Whitfield has recanted" to which she replied "No, Sir, he has only canted".

[l] In the 1760s, her friendships tended to reflect a change in interests, including many notable LGBT ladies of the day, from her own cousin Caroline to Mie-Mie Fagnani.

[30] At the age of 73, Lady Townshend was still hosting events in public,[31] described at the time in the first edition of the satirical book The Abbey of Kilkhampton by Sir Herbert Croft as: Indulge the Tribute of a pitying Tear In kind Remembrance of her who was once the fair, the blooming Lady V .........sT.......d. Born and educated without the Prospect of rising beyond the Level of Mediocrity She cultivated the sincerest Charms that could assist in finishing A Model of the loveliest Perfection.

The Elegance of her Attractions captivated the Heart, while the Artless Innocence of her Conversation improved the Felicity of those who gazed on the soft Lustre of her Beauties with Rapture and Admiration.

The Nobleman who was induced to espouse her, kept guard over the Treasure he possessed, with a Warmth of Affection that did Honour to her Virtues, Though it robbed her of that unsuspected Freedom of Sentiment Which Youth and Beauty part from with Reluctance.

She lived, beloved without Jealousy by the Young and Gay, Admired without Envy by the more rigid of her Sex, and Distinguished with Tokens of sincere Veneration From all who knew the Refinement of her Accomplishments.

[1] George and Charles were attending either Cambridge University or Eton College when she left Raynham but daughter Audrey (and potentially Roger) joined her in London.